Transgenerational design and your home

According to Transgenerational Design Matters, the concept of “transgenerational design” means: The practice of making products and environments compatible with those physical and sensory impairments associated with human aging and which limit major activities of daily living. We think you can take the concept of transgenerational design a step further, and apply it as it pertains to homes in which multiple generations live and use the same space in different ways. How can you design your kitchens and bathrooms so they are safe for children, functional for parents, and usable by grandparents? TDM Principles says it best: “In short, transgenerational designs accommodate rather than discriminate, and innovate rather than replicate.” Let’s talk about that a bit further… 

Universal Design and Transgenerational Design

We think of universal design and transgenerational design philosophies as inexorably intertwined. The term “universal design” was termed in the 1980s by Architect Ron Mace, who defined it as: the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” You can see that both universal and transgenerational designs embrace common goals: accessibility, versatility, comfort and convenience, as well as a dedication to aesthetics. The look should not be institutional; the design should be functional without being obvious, blending into the total look of a home.

Transgenerational design: In the kitchen

How can you make your kitchen work for every member of your household, or to take your family through several generations? We have several suggestions:

• Faucets with motion sensors
• Induction cooktops and/or smooth-top cooktops with front-mounted, easy-to-see heat controls
• Dimmer switches that adjust to different eyesight requirements
• Cork flooring that reduces joint impact
• Ovens that are mounted lower to accommodate a wheelchair; raised dishwashers; side-by-side refrigerators have shorter door swings and provide easier access to both freezer and fridge
• Pull-out steps in front of the sink
• Cabinets designed to open and provide wheel-out leg room for wheelchair users
• U- or L-shaped kitchens with islands that are wider and barrier-free
• Base cabinets with drawers that pull out, rather than shelving that requires bending and reaching
• Blunt-edged countertops to protect kids’ heads and hands
• Raised cabinets with more kick space
• Multi-level, pull-out countertop surfaces and work surfaces

Transgenerational design: In the bathroom

Making the bathroom work for people of varying ages and abilities can be a challenge as well. Here are just a few suggestions for creating a universal, transgenerational bathroom space:

• Corner vanities that are adjustable in height
• Cabinets with drawers, rather than shelving; pull-out drawers are more easily accessible for every ability; soft-closing drawers keep tiny fingers safe
• Finger grips on countertops to help steady, or to pull a wheelchair closer
• Single-lever faucets
• Wall-mounted sinks leave open space underneath for leg room
• Chair-height toilets
• Non-slip surfaces protect young and old alike from falls
• Curbless showers prevent tripping and in-shower seating
• Large tubs with extra seating are convenient for bathing young ones, or for stability for older family members
• Lever-style, rather than round doorknobs
• Grab-bar options: Add them up-front, or add plywood during construction/renovation so that grab bars can be added later on
• Hand-held shower heads add a spa-like experience to the bathroom, plus they are great for cleaning the shower walls

If you are building a new home or remodeling your current one, stop in to Cabinets & Designs and talk with one of our designers about creating a universal, transgenerational living space for your family.